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The Big Door Prize
The New York Times bestselling author of My Sunshine Away returns with another instant Southern classic: a gripping and heartfelt novel about a mysterious machine that upends a small Louisiana town.
What would you do if you knew your life's potential? That's the question facing the residents of Deerfield, Louisiana, when the DNAMIX machine appears in their local grocery store. It's nothing to look at, really--it resembles a plain photo booth. But its promise is amazing: With just a quick swab of your cheek and two dollars, the device claims to use the science of DNA to tell you your life's destiny. With enough credibility to make the townspeople curious, the machine soon has the teachers, nurses, and shopkeepers of Deerfield abruptly changing course to pursue their new destinies as magicians, cowboys, and athletes--including Douglas Hubbard and his wife, Cherilyn, who both believed they were perfectly happy until they realized they could dream for more....
Written with linguistic grace and a sense of wonder, The Big Door Prize sparkles with keen observations about what it might mean to stay true to oneself while honoring the bonds of marriage, friendship, and community, even under the strangest of circumstances.
What would you do if you knew your life's potential? That's the question facing the residents of Deerfield, Louisiana, when the DNAMIX machine appears in their local grocery store. It's nothing to look at, really--it resembles a plain photo booth. But its promise is amazing: With just a quick swab of your cheek and two dollars, the device claims to use the science of DNA to tell you your life's destiny. With enough credibility to make the townspeople curious, the machine soon has the teachers, nurses, and shopkeepers of Deerfield abruptly changing course to pursue their new destinies as magicians, cowboys, and athletes--including Douglas Hubbard and his wife, Cherilyn, who both believed they were perfectly happy until they realized they could dream for more....
Written with linguistic grace and a sense of wonder, The Big Door Prize sparkles with keen observations about what it might mean to stay true to oneself while honoring the bonds of marriage, friendship, and community, even under the strangest of circumstances.
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 703 reviews
October 30, 2020
Look at me. Here, eyes here. Ignore any review that says something unkind about this book. Maybe those readers didn't go into this book with the right frame of mind. I am here to tell you that this book is about goodness and redemption. It's about shooting your shot and finding joy in the little things. It's about seeing loneliness, seeing pain, and responding to it, not ignoring it because that's easier sometimes. It's about potential—for greatness, for kindness, for satisfaction in the everyday gifts each of us has. And it's also about falling short and making amends. This is a novel with tremendous heart and what I needed to read right now. Do yourself a favor: sit down with your favorite drink, listen to a little John Prine, and crack open THE BIG DOOR PRIZE.
March 20, 2020
1.5 stars
Dude the aliens have definitely taken me because I read all the words wrong.
When I saw this book was coming out and read the synopsis I got all kinds of excited. I was begging for it all over the internets. Then I got it and did not like it. I suck.
The local grocery store in Deerfield, Louisiana just got a new machine. It's called DNAMIX and what you do is swap your check and insert your DNA. It tells you what your life potential should be.
Dammit...that sounds so good!!!
But you really don't get much of the machine. Mostly the story is centered around a few characters. A married couple who's destiny from the machines make both of them go into a mid life crisis. A boy who's brother died from drunk driving and a few others.
I just didn't give two craps about any of it. I thought about just throwing the book to the side but I did want to see how it wrapped up. Then that was some bull crap kinda ending and it pissed me off too.
I'm giving it an "just ok" rating because I finished it.
PS I probably did read it wrong.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
Dude the aliens have definitely taken me because I read all the words wrong.
When I saw this book was coming out and read the synopsis I got all kinds of excited. I was begging for it all over the internets. Then I got it and did not like it. I suck.
The local grocery store in Deerfield, Louisiana just got a new machine. It's called DNAMIX and what you do is swap your check and insert your DNA. It tells you what your life potential should be.
Dammit...that sounds so good!!!
But you really don't get much of the machine. Mostly the story is centered around a few characters. A married couple who's destiny from the machines make both of them go into a mid life crisis. A boy who's brother died from drunk driving and a few others.
I just didn't give two craps about any of it. I thought about just throwing the book to the side but I did want to see how it wrapped up. Then that was some bull crap kinda ending and it pissed me off too.
I'm giving it an "just ok" rating because I finished it.
PS I probably did read it wrong.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
October 21, 2020
The Big Door Prize by M.O. Walsh is spectacularly average. If it was a height it would be 5 feet nine inches. If it was a uniform it would be a blue polo and khaki slacks. If it was a car payment it would be $500 for new vehicles and $393 used. While there is not anything to really despise with this book, The Big Door Prize is not some horrific atrocity to all mankind such as pineapple on pizza, there is also not much to love either. It is not a toasted everything bagel with light cream cheese for example. If I had to report a reaction to this story it would be a hearty shrug. Probably using both shoulders.
In the Southern town of Deerfield Louisiana a strange machine has popped up at the local grocery. You swab a little cheek DNA and it will then tell you what your potential should be. Soon people are giving up their jobs to become puppeteers, magicians, carpenters, etc. How quirky! Most of these characters are window dressing, background actors while we follow the much less interesting history teacher, his wife, and the young high school boy whose twin brother recently perished in a car wreck.
The story moves along alright, but without any real momentum. It reads like a Richard Russo novel if he wrote it while high on Sudafed and also binging his favorite TV show and knitting a baby blanket for his great grandchild. But again there is also nothing to really dislike either. It doesn’t push forward an agenda of strangling household dogs. It doesn’t urge young impressionable children to join up with the Taliban. It doesn’t even ask the reader to try a little bit of spikey tropical fruit on your delectable pizza pie. It is very average. If it was a color it would be beige. That is why I am giving it one shrug.
In the Southern town of Deerfield Louisiana a strange machine has popped up at the local grocery. You swab a little cheek DNA and it will then tell you what your potential should be. Soon people are giving up their jobs to become puppeteers, magicians, carpenters, etc. How quirky! Most of these characters are window dressing, background actors while we follow the much less interesting history teacher, his wife, and the young high school boy whose twin brother recently perished in a car wreck.
The story moves along alright, but without any real momentum. It reads like a Richard Russo novel if he wrote it while high on Sudafed and also binging his favorite TV show and knitting a baby blanket for his great grandchild. But again there is also nothing to really dislike either. It doesn’t push forward an agenda of strangling household dogs. It doesn’t urge young impressionable children to join up with the Taliban. It doesn’t even ask the reader to try a little bit of spikey tropical fruit on your delectable pizza pie. It is very average. If it was a color it would be beige. That is why I am giving it one shrug.
March 21, 2024
i thought this book was really fun and i love the town and the people that lived in the town. this is now a tv show on apple tv+ and funny enough this book has none of the things i loved about the show. it’s still a good book but unfortunately the show devoured.
September 10, 2020
4 stars Thanks to NetGalley for the download and a Marketing Assistant at G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Penguin Random House for the ability to read and review this ARC. Published 9/8/2020.
Swab your cheek. Read your DNA. Change your life! What could be easier?
That is the premise of the story. Small town Louisiana installs a photo booth type DNAMIX fortune teller in their local grocery store. For $2 change your life - get the readout and learn just what your potential really is. It doesn't take long for everyone in town, teens, housewives and professional people to try their luck. Among them are a married couple Douglas Hubbard and his wife, Cherilyn - who up to that time thought they were very happy. Then the changes begin...
Wow! Very enjoyable book ! Something new -not the same old, same old. A bit science fiction but I would say more magical realism. Once you are in this book the pages turn like softened butter - very smoothly you move from one thing to the next. Marriage, evolution, community, separation, division, redemption and wonder.
Tired of the same old thing? Open this book - take a journey like non other. Wow! Very enjoyable book !
Penguin Random House for the ability to read and review this ARC. Published 9/8/2020.
Swab your cheek. Read your DNA. Change your life! What could be easier?
That is the premise of the story. Small town Louisiana installs a photo booth type DNAMIX fortune teller in their local grocery store. For $2 change your life - get the readout and learn just what your potential really is. It doesn't take long for everyone in town, teens, housewives and professional people to try their luck. Among them are a married couple Douglas Hubbard and his wife, Cherilyn - who up to that time thought they were very happy. Then the changes begin...
Wow! Very enjoyable book ! Something new -not the same old, same old. A bit science fiction but I would say more magical realism. Once you are in this book the pages turn like softened butter - very smoothly you move from one thing to the next. Marriage, evolution, community, separation, division, redemption and wonder.
Tired of the same old thing? Open this book - take a journey like non other. Wow! Very enjoyable book !
June 2, 2023
Wow. In the worst way possible. Expecting a light, comical story about ambitions and goals? Not here.
Expecting a serious story about how people are affected by learning the truth about their ambitions and goals? Not here.
Do you want a story that is coherent, has a point, a plot, and clear point of view? Nope nope nope. Not here. The blurb is completely misleading, as is the title, which would just be a speed bump except...
...this ridiculous book doesn't know if it wants to be funny, clever, dramatic, deep, or smart. It ends up being absolutely none of those. What a mess.
Worse, no one in this book acts like an actual human would ever act.
Just nope.
Expecting a serious story about how people are affected by learning the truth about their ambitions and goals? Not here.
Do you want a story that is coherent, has a point, a plot, and clear point of view? Nope nope nope. Not here. The blurb is completely misleading, as is the title, which would just be a speed bump except...
...this ridiculous book doesn't know if it wants to be funny, clever, dramatic, deep, or smart. It ends up being absolutely none of those. What a mess.
Worse, no one in this book acts like an actual human would ever act.
Just nope.
October 1, 2021
THE BIG DOOR PRIZE
Oh, come on people! This is a love story and can only be a love story. Every interaction has at least one love relationship aspect and often the presentation is for positive and negative in each relationship. There is the parent to child, the Mayor and his twins, one alive and the other dead, the living twin's relationship with his father who is carefully balancing on the edge of mental health, the living twin's relationship with his deceased brother...... and on and on the husband to wife, man to woman, boy to girl, girl to the deceased twin, Priest to God, his niece and his deceased wife. There were quite a few characters, but the book is about a town so there had to be more than a few. But I loved all of them.
I really appreciated the idea of redemption, forgiveness, and acceptance and found the plot quite refreshing and intriguing. I couldn't wait to get out of class so I could go right back to reading. My favorite was, of course, Howard. It is nice to have a gentle and loving male character as the lead every now and then. A normal guy that is in love with his wife and still enjoys her company. It is not necessary to always have a tall super good-looking stoic as the main male character. There are just more normal Howards than amazing Denton's!
I am not going to say that this was the most exciting book I have ever read, because it just wasn't. But it was quite interesting with its machine that tests DNA and tells the submitter what their life potential is. I loved the self-fulfilling prophecy aspect of the story, that once the potential has been observed and pointed out, that people can still be motivated and boosted up to new levels. It was a solid read.
4 stars
Happy REading!
Oh, come on people! This is a love story and can only be a love story. Every interaction has at least one love relationship aspect and often the presentation is for positive and negative in each relationship. There is the parent to child, the Mayor and his twins, one alive and the other dead, the living twin's relationship with his father who is carefully balancing on the edge of mental health, the living twin's relationship with his deceased brother...... and on and on the husband to wife, man to woman, boy to girl, girl to the deceased twin, Priest to God, his niece and his deceased wife. There were quite a few characters, but the book is about a town so there had to be more than a few. But I loved all of them.
I really appreciated the idea of redemption, forgiveness, and acceptance and found the plot quite refreshing and intriguing. I couldn't wait to get out of class so I could go right back to reading. My favorite was, of course, Howard. It is nice to have a gentle and loving male character as the lead every now and then. A normal guy that is in love with his wife and still enjoys her company. It is not necessary to always have a tall super good-looking stoic as the main male character. There are just more normal Howards than amazing Denton's!
I am not going to say that this was the most exciting book I have ever read, because it just wasn't. But it was quite interesting with its machine that tests DNA and tells the submitter what their life potential is. I loved the self-fulfilling prophecy aspect of the story, that once the potential has been observed and pointed out, that people can still be motivated and boosted up to new levels. It was a solid read.
4 stars
Happy REading!
December 1, 2020
I remember really sinking my teeth into M.O. Walsh's previous novel, but unfortunately with this one I found myself most often wanting to skim. I was interested in the married couple but not really any of the other characters, and the premise, that there is this machine in the grocery store that tells you what you were destined to be, felt like a too obvious framework for a writing exercise. Like there's no real heart in it, and there could have/should have been to really be the feel-good read it felt he was going for.
I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 21, 2020
Lovely.
Quirky, laugh-out-loud funny, insightful and ultimately moving.
A lot of characters to keep track of, bit Walsh manages to give each of their stories room and uniqueness. In the end, it's a love story, but aren't they all in some way.
Read this book.
Quirky, laugh-out-loud funny, insightful and ultimately moving.
A lot of characters to keep track of, bit Walsh manages to give each of their stories room and uniqueness. In the end, it's a love story, but aren't they all in some way.
Read this book.
June 20, 2022
From the book jacket: What would you do if you knew your life’s potential? That’s the question facing the residents of Deerfield, Louisiana, when the DNAMIX machine appears in their local grocery store. Its promise is amazing: with just a quick swab of your cheek and two dollars, the device claims to use the science of DNA to tell you your life’s destiny. With enough credibility to make the townspeople curious, the machine soon has the teachers, nurses, and shopkeepers of Deerfield abruptly changing course to pursue their new destinies – including Douglas Hubbard and his wife, Cherilyn, who both believed they were perfectly happy until they realized they could dream for more…
My reactions:
My F2F book club chose this book for discussion; I doubt I would have picked it up otherwise. I knew nothing going into it and expected a charming, quirky character-driven ensemble of small-town Southern America. I got some of that, certainly, but so much more.
There are some pretty heavy issues here, including unrealized dreams, peer pressure, drug abuse, grief, suicidal ideation, and domestic terrorism. The characters weren’t all fully realized, with some being little more than stereotypical sketches.
I came to really like some of these characters; Douglas, Cherilyn, Father Pete, and Principal Pat stand out. My heart broke for Trina and Jacob who cannot see a way to process their trauma and grief, and like too many teenagers, struggle alone.
There are scenes that are introspective and give the reader some insight into what these characters are thinking (whether or not they’ve used the DNAMIX machine to reveal their potential). Other scenes are light-hearted and break the tension. And there are very dramatic scenes that made me afraid to look, and more afraid to look away. There were enough plot points left hanging that several in my book club suspect a sequel in the works.
My reactions:
My F2F book club chose this book for discussion; I doubt I would have picked it up otherwise. I knew nothing going into it and expected a charming, quirky character-driven ensemble of small-town Southern America. I got some of that, certainly, but so much more.
There are some pretty heavy issues here, including unrealized dreams, peer pressure, drug abuse, grief, suicidal ideation, and domestic terrorism. The characters weren’t all fully realized, with some being little more than stereotypical sketches.
I came to really like some of these characters; Douglas, Cherilyn, Father Pete, and Principal Pat stand out. My heart broke for Trina and Jacob who cannot see a way to process their trauma and grief, and like too many teenagers, struggle alone.
There are scenes that are introspective and give the reader some insight into what these characters are thinking (whether or not they’ve used the DNAMIX machine to reveal their potential). Other scenes are light-hearted and break the tension. And there are very dramatic scenes that made me afraid to look, and more afraid to look away. There were enough plot points left hanging that several in my book club suspect a sequel in the works.
September 24, 2021
I simply cannot with this piece of long-winded Boomer drivel. How many times can one rant about social media as the downfall of society? Apparently as many times as one has different character perspectives written. Even the teenage boy apparently hates social media!!! Oh and remember that fortune-telling machine in the premise of the book? Because the author doesn’t.
May 4, 2020
A bunch of folks in PoDunk, Louisiana are sticking money in a machine (think photo booth) that will tell them about their destiny. The mayor is supposed to be a cowboy, a bored housewife is supposed to royalty and so on. This novel reminded me of a Fannie Flagg novel, which is a good thing.
May 5, 2021
THIS.BOOK.WAS.AWFUL
And I wasted hardcover cost dollars on it.
The premise sounds so intriguing with this machine that will tell you your destiny based on a simple cheek swab. People upend their lives over their readouts on this thing. I thought this book was going to be about the machine itself and how it impacted people's lives.
Instead it focuses on a small group of main characters and a supporting cast. We have Douglas and Cherilyn Hubbard, a seemingly nice married couple who discover they both want more from their life. I liked Douglas ok but I thought Cherilyn was prudish, whiny and ridiculous.
The other character is Jacob, whose twin brother died in a drunk driving accident. And now Jacob is being set up by this psycho girl that was dating his brother to take revenge supposedly on those who caused the accident, except this is not what it seems.
The actual destiny machine itself takes a backseat in this book, which was hugely disappointing. I think if someone else took this idea and ran with it they could churn out something better than this 300+ pages of drivel.
I realize I'm being harsh here but honestly I made myself finish this book and I was so pissed at the ending I cannot give it more than 1 star and I would give zero if that were possible.
And I wasted hardcover cost dollars on it.
The premise sounds so intriguing with this machine that will tell you your destiny based on a simple cheek swab. People upend their lives over their readouts on this thing. I thought this book was going to be about the machine itself and how it impacted people's lives.
Instead it focuses on a small group of main characters and a supporting cast. We have Douglas and Cherilyn Hubbard, a seemingly nice married couple who discover they both want more from their life. I liked Douglas ok but I thought Cherilyn was prudish, whiny and ridiculous.
The other character is Jacob, whose twin brother died in a drunk driving accident. And now Jacob is being set up by this psycho girl that was dating his brother to take revenge supposedly on those who caused the accident, except this is not what it seems.
The actual destiny machine itself takes a backseat in this book, which was hugely disappointing. I think if someone else took this idea and ran with it they could churn out something better than this 300+ pages of drivel.
I realize I'm being harsh here but honestly I made myself finish this book and I was so pissed at the ending I cannot give it more than 1 star and I would give zero if that were possible.
September 9, 2023
wtf
i watched the tv series before reading this and i definitely favored the changes they made in the show. the show feels very sci fi and mysterious and eerie. the book is a dark drama that’s mostly just focused on a domestic tale of a husband and wife who are in a bit of a funk. it’s not a bad story it’s just like not what i tend to like and not what i expected.
in the novel, the fortune-telling DNAMIX machine is kind of an afterthought. the incident that propels this couple to examine their relationship and that’s basically it. it does not affect any other storyline and fades into the background quickly.
additionally, the jacob/trina storyline is so dark it feels completely disjointed from the other storyline. like you could totally remove it from this book and write it as it’s own novel easily. HUGE TW for sexual assault which i did NOT anticipate as well.
overall, i just didn’t like it that much. it’s fine i guess. generally good character building. but also the whole white woman putting on a sari and henna to add exoticism and excitement to her life was sooooo eye roll, big sigh. just bleh. feels very straight white man overall. no finesse. really heavy handed at times. not something i’d recommend.
i watched the tv series before reading this and i definitely favored the changes they made in the show. the show feels very sci fi and mysterious and eerie. the book is a dark drama that’s mostly just focused on a domestic tale of a husband and wife who are in a bit of a funk. it’s not a bad story it’s just like not what i tend to like and not what i expected.
in the novel, the fortune-telling DNAMIX machine is kind of an afterthought. the incident that propels this couple to examine their relationship and that’s basically it. it does not affect any other storyline and fades into the background quickly.
additionally, the jacob/trina storyline is so dark it feels completely disjointed from the other storyline. like you could totally remove it from this book and write it as it’s own novel easily. HUGE TW for sexual assault which i did NOT anticipate as well.
overall, i just didn’t like it that much. it’s fine i guess. generally good character building. but also the whole white woman putting on a sari and henna to add exoticism and excitement to her life was sooooo eye roll, big sigh. just bleh. feels very straight white man overall. no finesse. really heavy handed at times. not something i’d recommend.
October 11, 2020
The Big Door Prize is a big-hearted novel. Fans of John Prine will appreciate the frequent references to his lyrics in chapter titles and scattered in dialogue and narration. Though the story is by no means derivative, Walsh's characters could easily be pulled from a Prine song and his loose manner of story-telling is clearly an influence. The central question of the novel may be "How can one know one's life potential?" It is an answer that a new DNAMIX machine in the local grocery story in Deerfield, Louisiana, claims to give, leading many of the townspeople to upend their lives and change directions. There is an air of magic to the town as it approaches its bicentennial celebration and an air of catastrophe as some fear the DNAMIX is giving out false hope. The town has its secrets, too, as do each of the main characters. The question remains whether this new knowledge of the future will bring them together or tear them apart.
August 11, 2021
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, that a DNAMIX machine, which looks like a photo both, can, with a swab of your cheek and the payment of two dollars, reveal the applicants full potential in life through their DNA. For example, you will (or could) be a baseball star, an astronaut, royalty. The outcomes of these tests do play a part in the novel, in both passing comment and in the actions and behaviours of some key protagonists and it is the evolution of these ideas, combined with the everyday domestic, which lies at the heart of this book. Somewhat slow at times, this was an OK novel, but in the end I was a little disappointed and was left wanting more.
September 26, 2020
I thought this was well-written but not as advertised. There is a charming midlife couple and a hilarious spot-on city council meeting, but there's also a lot more darkness than I anticipated from a colorful cover, fun premise, and blurb words like "big-hearted, beautiful optimism, ideal summer read." If you want a small Southern town with some dark places you'll probably enjoy this. If you are looking for a "happy book" to escape the pandemic blues maybe pass on this one.
November 19, 2020
The darkness of the Jacob/Trina storyline did not match the small town, quirky happy vibe the author was going for. The resolution to the Douglas & Cherilyn storyline also was too dark for the lightness of the premise and overall tone of the author’s writing style.
October 28, 2024
More of a 2.5 but I’ll round up bc I watched the tv series and I enjoyed it. And I’m so glad I watched the tv series before reading this or I probably would have never watched it. The show is so much better and I’m sad they cancelled it.
It was more lighthearted and hopeful and the book was a bit depressing and dark.
It was more lighthearted and hopeful and the book was a bit depressing and dark.
March 30, 2025
This book had so much potential but didn't hit the way I really wanted it to.
The writing style? Fantastic. It flows easily and was so easy to read.
The plot? It was almost there. It had so much potential but about half way through something shifted and it got very dull. The suspense that was generated kind of just floated off and I wasn't as engaged.
Now, the book is very cool but it didn't hit the mark that I had hoped it would. I felt like plot points kind of just fell off and then were bandaged up to make sure they somehow kind of tied into a bow at the end. And some didn't get resolved at all, they just... hung there.
So, interesting. I did pick this up in a random dollar store down in Florida on vacation, so maybe that was my bad.
One out of five stars.
The writing style? Fantastic. It flows easily and was so easy to read.
The plot? It was almost there. It had so much potential but about half way through something shifted and it got very dull. The suspense that was generated kind of just floated off and I wasn't as engaged.
Now, the book is very cool but it didn't hit the mark that I had hoped it would. I felt like plot points kind of just fell off and then were bandaged up to make sure they somehow kind of tied into a bow at the end. And some didn't get resolved at all, they just... hung there.
So, interesting. I did pick this up in a random dollar store down in Florida on vacation, so maybe that was my bad.
One out of five stars.
May 26, 2020
**Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Growing up in the south, I really enjoyed immersing myself in the town of Deerfield, Louisiana!
A lot of people who grow up in a small town don't really know how big they can dream, so they keep them small. But a cheek swab and a couple bucks at the DNAMIX machine that shows up at the grocery store gives people a printout of their life's possibilities using their DNA. It leaves people wondering: What would you do if you knew you were destined for something else?
The DNAMIX machine helps these small-town people dream big, and causes a lot of commotion in the process. I fell in love with each of the characters and I was rooting for their success. The pacing was right on--plenty of plot to keep things moving, but enough character building and background to win your heart.
It's a really small detail, but I especially loved the chapter titles; they were so unique and interesting. They didn't give anything away, but I kept revisiting them to see what they might be foreshadowing.
This was my first M.O. Walsh novel, and I quite enjoyed it! I'm checking out his other works to add to my TBR list.
Growing up in the south, I really enjoyed immersing myself in the town of Deerfield, Louisiana!
A lot of people who grow up in a small town don't really know how big they can dream, so they keep them small. But a cheek swab and a couple bucks at the DNAMIX machine that shows up at the grocery store gives people a printout of their life's possibilities using their DNA. It leaves people wondering: What would you do if you knew you were destined for something else?
The DNAMIX machine helps these small-town people dream big, and causes a lot of commotion in the process. I fell in love with each of the characters and I was rooting for their success. The pacing was right on--plenty of plot to keep things moving, but enough character building and background to win your heart.
It's a really small detail, but I especially loved the chapter titles; they were so unique and interesting. They didn't give anything away, but I kept revisiting them to see what they might be foreshadowing.
This was my first M.O. Walsh novel, and I quite enjoyed it! I'm checking out his other works to add to my TBR list.
September 9, 2020
As the town of Deerfield, Louisiana prepares for its bicentennial celebration, the mysterious DNAMIX machine appears in the local grocery store. In exchange for $2 and a cheek swab, Deerfield residents can learn their true destinies. Suddenly, the Catholic school principal resigns to become a carpenter, the mayor thinks he's a cowboy, and Cherilyn Hubbard is convinced she's meant to be royalty.
Cherilyn had been perfectly happy with her life as Douglas's wife, her mother's caretaker, and crafter/temp worker, although she had growing concerns about recent symptoms she'd experienced. Douglas is baffled by Cherilyn's sudden odd behavior, as well as crushed when he learns his true destiny is "Teacher. Whistler," exactly what he is, not the jazz trombonist he's harbored a secret desire to become.
At the same time, teenaged Jacob is grappling with his twin brother's death, and wondering what classmate Trina is planning.
Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes cringey, and always entertaining, THE BIG DOOR PRIZE takes a unique approach at exploring the intersection of hopes, dreams, and crushing reality. #TheBigDoorPrize #NetGalley
Cherilyn had been perfectly happy with her life as Douglas's wife, her mother's caretaker, and crafter/temp worker, although she had growing concerns about recent symptoms she'd experienced. Douglas is baffled by Cherilyn's sudden odd behavior, as well as crushed when he learns his true destiny is "Teacher. Whistler," exactly what he is, not the jazz trombonist he's harbored a secret desire to become.
At the same time, teenaged Jacob is grappling with his twin brother's death, and wondering what classmate Trina is planning.
Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes cringey, and always entertaining, THE BIG DOOR PRIZE takes a unique approach at exploring the intersection of hopes, dreams, and crushing reality. #TheBigDoorPrize #NetGalley
May 17, 2023
I simply did not care for this book.
I tend to tell people that I like books that are kind, and ya know this book kind of tested that. I think its primary feature was an attempt at kindness in and for its characters and yet. I think there were a couple of issues, for one, it just was extremely written by a white early-middle aged man. At one point I realized that I didn't actually know that for sure and then looked it up and sure enough. The young people didn't quite feel realistic. The sympathies were clearly with early-middle aged men. The depictions of women felt like a man wrote them, but not a regular man, a cool man who loves his wife OBVIOUSLY. The main character wears a fedora and spends energy hero worship-ing a character that felt fairly apparently meant to be black and had slightly more depth than a baking pan. And I think the audience is meant to think he's the most sympathetic man in town, a little delusional but ultimately a Good Guy.
I sort of think maybe this kind of book is what I'm afraid people think some of my favorite books are like.
I tend to tell people that I like books that are kind, and ya know this book kind of tested that. I think its primary feature was an attempt at kindness in and for its characters and yet. I think there were a couple of issues, for one, it just was extremely written by a white early-middle aged man. At one point I realized that I didn't actually know that for sure and then looked it up and sure enough. The young people didn't quite feel realistic. The sympathies were clearly with early-middle aged men. The depictions of women felt like a man wrote them, but not a regular man, a cool man who loves his wife OBVIOUSLY. The main character wears a fedora and spends energy hero worship-ing a character that felt fairly apparently meant to be black and had slightly more depth than a baking pan. And I think the audience is meant to think he's the most sympathetic man in town, a little delusional but ultimately a Good Guy.
I sort of think maybe this kind of book is what I'm afraid people think some of my favorite books are like.
December 22, 2023
I thought this book was very fine. It was a story of life in an American town through the eyes of multiple residents. What was supposed to add a twist was a machine in the grocery store that spits out a “potential” reading, sort of like a boxed fortune teller.
The way that residents would react to their potential really intrigued me, though I felt let down by the lack of this exploration. I also felt overwhelmed at the number of generic middle-aged men’s names to keep track of in this story.
Spoilers - the near-school shooting incident seemed underdeveloped as well, as the gravity of this situation seemed to warrant more explanation compared to someone’s desire to play trombone.
Overall, a fine book to listen to on a car ride, though I wish the author had developed some of the story lines more thoroughly.
The way that residents would react to their potential really intrigued me, though I felt let down by the lack of this exploration. I also felt overwhelmed at the number of generic middle-aged men’s names to keep track of in this story.
Spoilers - the near-school shooting incident seemed underdeveloped as well, as the gravity of this situation seemed to warrant more explanation compared to someone’s desire to play trombone.
Overall, a fine book to listen to on a car ride, though I wish the author had developed some of the story lines more thoroughly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
A highly enjoyable and heartwarming novel that made me smile and kept me hooked.
I loved the storytelling, the character development and the descriptions of small town life.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the storytelling, the character development and the descriptions of small town life.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 19, 2024
I decided to read this because I had watched the TV show and mostly enjoyed it, and was especially intrigued by the premise. I was surprised by how much the book diverged from the show.
At times I found this book a bit mean and bleak, but at others it was sort of whimsical and sweet. Really all over in the place, but mostly in a good way? The last quarter of the book really feels like a rock rolling down a hill and I stayed up late reading to the conclusion, which isn't someone I often do anymore.
I also appreciated that the mysterious sort of sci-fi premise of the book is used mostly as a catalyst and is not the core focus of the story.
At times I found this book a bit mean and bleak, but at others it was sort of whimsical and sweet. Really all over in the place, but mostly in a good way? The last quarter of the book really feels like a rock rolling down a hill and I stayed up late reading to the conclusion, which isn't someone I often do anymore.
I also appreciated that the mysterious sort of sci-fi premise of the book is used mostly as a catalyst and is not the core focus of the story.
April 4, 2021
This book starts so strong. In a small Southern town, a machine is placed in a grocery store that can determine who you could be. Great idea, and I thought that this was what the book would be about, but instead there were too many characters and stories, and this book felt really disjointed. I cared for none of the characters, probably because I didn't know that them that well and felt like the end just kept dragging. I could wait for this one to end.
July 27, 2022
What a unique plot. A machine tells people what they SHOULD have been and many change their lives to fit the report that the machine generates. Great character development and superb pacing. When you finish, you'll wish the machine was... (sorry, no spoilers!)
January 15, 2025
What a delightful surprise! If Fannie Flagg and Fredrik Backman had a book baby, it would be The Big Door Prize. Small town life, interesting characters, multiple story lines, a plot twist you'll feel in the pit of your stomach and hopeful endings. This is what a really good book is all about!
October 20, 2020
Yikes, I really did not care for this book. I don't know of it was the plot or the narrator. I just didn't like it.
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